720th
December 2004 Battalion Time Line
~~~~~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association History Project ~~~~~
89th Bde.
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Deployment begins for Operation Iraq Freedom-III

3 December The Battalion HQ Detachment (Vanguard) acompanied by the 1st Platoon (1st, 2nd, 3rd squads) of the 401st MP Company, arrived in Kuwait after a long flight that carried them through Canada, Ireland and Hungary via Fort Hood, Texas.

        While in Kuwait the units received refresher training in: Improvised Explosive Device (IED) recognition and reaction training; weapons test firing, convoy live fire training; urban warfare training on a M1114 HMMWV in the motor pool.

        In addition to the training all vehicles received armor upgrades where needed and additional unit equipment was provided for.

15-16 December The bulk of the Battalion (minus the 410th who were already in theatre) flew into the Baghdad International Airport.

        The main body of HQ Detachment (Vanguard), Battalion staff, and the security platoon, 1st Platoon, 401st MP Company, flew from Kuwait into Baghdad International Airport.

        The 1st Platoon of the 401st was assigned to Battalion Headquarters as the Personal Security Detachment (PSD) Platoon.

        The 1st Squad was assigned as security to CSM William A. Generali.

        The 2nd Squad was assigned as security to the Battalion Commander, LTC Robert M. Taradash.

        The 3rd Squad was detached and sent to FOB Victory where they provided security for various general staff officers.

17 December The remainder of the group arrived at Camp Cuervo, Iraq from Kuwait via ground convoy without incident.

        The 401st MP Company (Always First), 411th MP Company (Speed & Power), 64th MP Company (Guardians), and 860th MP Company (Desert Reapers) from Army National Guard, Phoenix, Arizona, via Fort Polk, Louisiana, are expected to arrive in theater in April.

        The troops immediately began transitional training (right seat / left seat rides) by shadowing their predecessors in order to gain knowledge of on the daily operations they would be performing.

        The quarters at Forward Operation Base (FOB) Cuervo consist of 2-3 man rooms with heating and air conditioning, shower trailers are located close by, and the Post Exchange (PX), and dining facility, telephone center, internet cafe are all located within walking distance of the Battalion area.
1st Squad
2nd Squad
3rd Squad
        The weather is cool, daytime temperatures continue to drop into the 50’s with the nights much cooler.

25 December, Christmas For the second year in a row elements of the Battalion once again missed celebrating Christmas and New Years with the family and loved ones. However, Santa did not miss spending the holidays with the troops. Santa (SGT Jesus Salazar, 1st Platoon, 401st MP Company), helped spread the cheer and gifts to the troops at a holiday party.
29 December The Battalion HQ Detachment unfurled its colors at Camp Cuervo (Baghdad) Iraq during a formal Transfer of Authority ceremony. The Battalion replaced the 759th MP Battalion (Lone Sentinel), 7th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado, and would be supporting a battalion with approximately 1,200 soldiers.
759th
7th
        The Battalion assumed command of the following units already in theater: 630th MP Company (Mavericks) from Bamberg, Germany; 272nd MP Company (Fighting Deuce) from Mannheim, Germany; 984th MP Company (Red Dogs) from Fort Carson, Colorado; Alpha Battery, 1/151st Field Artillery Battalion, Marshall, Minnesota; Bravo Battery, 3/112th Field Artillery Battalion, Lawrenceville, New Jersey; Bravo Battery, (Gladiators) 1/258th Field Artillery Battalion, Jamaica Queens, New York and the 313th MP Detachment (Black Sheep) from Las Vegas, Nevada.

        The Battalion Area of Operations (AO), is East Baghdad, their mission will encompass: joint patrol of MP, Iraqi Police (IP), and Iraqi Police Liaison Officers (ILPO= former police officers in the US); operational support; communications support; logistical and administrative support; force protection; evaluation of operations for all Iraq Police Stations; training new police recruits at Baghdad Public Service Academy; highway and convoy escort security; and any other missions (MP=Multi Purpose) deemed necessary by higher authority.

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